The Steed Family

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Day at the Beach, or Why We've Made it 10 Years in the Southland

Our summer-like weather continued yesterday as we headed to the beach to take advantage of it. The day started off slightly cloudy at Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica, where we let Derek take his bike all by himself on the beach path for the first time. He did great! He almost made it to the Santa Monica Pier. No crashes and no whining! Good Job Doo-doo's!Carissa (aka- Oblivious to the World on a bike) definitely takes on a "beach cruiser" attitude. She likes meander around the bike path, look around, speed up, slow down- whatever. After several close calls between her bike and my roller blades, I took the front and she kept up.

By the end of the bike ride the sun was out and it was almost HOT!

It was pretty much gorgeous.

THe kids were stoked.

Grayson spent most of his time piling sand on himself in the big hole that Lee dug. He was content!

No post would be complete without a pose by Derek. I think it might be time to send those board shorts to Grayson.

Then the jumping began.

Show off.

"Carissa- stand up and see if I can jump over you. Hey Sara- got the camera ready?"

Sunday, January 18, 2009

So long, Sucker

The wall dividing the living room and family room is down.

Turns out it is a semi-bearing wall. See those 2x4's in the middle? Yeah - they're holding up a beam which is, in turn, holding up the roof.

Crap. I guess the whole "knocking down the wall" isn't going to be so easy after all...

(But it still looks really good!! Maybe Mom and Dad will post some more pictures?)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Kitchen Update

We lucked out on Saturday and had some beautiful weather - warm almost - which made for a good day to take out the front windows!

First, Ben and Paige really wanted to help Gramma do the dishes.

Taking the old stuff off.

Surveying the water lines, electrical and sewer lines inside and figuring out where to re-route stuff.

The wall is down!

All buttoned up with the new window!

Finishing up on the inside with a little help from the kidlets.

In other news, I think Mom and Dad have come to a decision on their countertops. It is all going to look so good!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Our pics from CA

When we first arrived, the Baileys were the only cousins in town. But Evan had so much fun with Paige. When we ask him about his cousins, he says, "Ben is nice."

Evan's favorite thing about Christmas has got to be Candy Canes, hands down!

Then Christmas morning in PJs was fun, but they missed all their cousins!!!

Brady is getting closer and closer to walking. Something I'm not too excited about...

When the Bradfords showed up, the kid craziness began, not that the Bailey and Steed kids weren't crazy enough alone. (Tuesday, when Grandma had to watch them, and renounced her role as Gramma)

Evan and Grayson in the leaves. If only we lived closer...

Evan and Brady miss their cousins!

Good luck with the kitchen remodel, it'll be gorgeous!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Kitchen Remodel - Take One

First Question: What color do you think Mom and Dad favor in a kitchen?

Answer: YELLOW!

Mom and Dad have been working so hard on their kitchen. They have already demolished nearly everything.

Walls are ready to be moved, windows are ready to get a new home, as well as - the water heater! There is no turning back now!

Mom and Dad also found some awesome appliances on craigslist. With these two purchases alone they have already saved thousands of dollars. They got a GE Profile double oven and a big ol' island vent hood. The double oven came from our old friend Larry the Handyman - lets just call him our "supplier". We don't know where he finds these things but he does. Dad has already put in an order to Larry for a dishwasher. Keep your fingers crossed that he comes through.